Trafficked Person Identification & Action Steps for Law Enforcement

Florida Freedom Partnership Objective: to provide a rapid-response, comprehensive support system for victims of human trafficking while building the capacity of the South Florida community to better understand and respond to the needs of victims of human trafficking.

Definition of severe forms of trafficking in persons according to U.S. legislation and the U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report 2003:

a) sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age;

OR

b) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

 

Trafficking Victims Protection Act Objectives:

  • - To PREVENT trafficking by increasing economic opportunities and raising awareness.
  • - To PROTECT and assist victims of trafficking by providing federal and state benefits and services.
  • - To PROSECUTE traffickers through increased law enforcement and stiffer penalties.

 

Key Questions to Identify Victims of Trafficking:

  • - How did the person find out about the job?
  • - How did the person migrate?
  • - What happened when they arrived in the destination country?
  • - What was it like when they started to work?
  • - Was the person paid? How much? How often?
  • - Did the person try to leave his/her job? What happened?
  • - Who was in possession of the person's documents?
  • - Were the documents being withheld from the person?
  • - Was the person afraid of his/her employer? Why?
  • - Was there violence involved?

 

Steps to take if trafficking is suspected:

  • 1. Separate individuals involved to question them
  • 2. Give informative brochures to possible victims
  • 3. Call the Florida Freedom Partnership
    • - Information Line (during work hours): (305) 443- 0102
    • - Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline: 1.888.3737.888
  • 4. Assess needs of victims: Housing, Interpretation, Legal, and Health services

 

Law / TVPA 2000

Trafficking in Persons
A Guide for Non-Governmental Organizations
An introduction to the laws and protections for victims of trafficking. Designed by the Department of Justice for NGO's but applicable for law enforcement.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/crim/wetf/trafficbrochure.html
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/crim/wetf/trafficbrochure.pdf

Information for Victims of Trafficking in Persons and Forced Labor
Designed by the DOJ for victims and potential victims of trafficking in persons. To be distributed to persons who may have been trafficked or are at risk for being trafficked. Order free brochures in English or Spanish via the DOJ at 888-428-7581.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/crim/wetf/victimsbrochure.html
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/crim/wetf/victimsbrochure.pdf

Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000
[PDF]
Full text of the 2000 US federal law on trafficking in persons. The trafficking section is Division A: the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000. Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000: Trafficking in Persons Report 2004: http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2004/

Barriers to Effective Human Trafficking Enforcement
[Word]
A presentation on the 10 biggest barriers to enforcement against human trafficking. Presented by Brian Iselin from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Applicable to law enforcement internationally